Apologies if there is already a general thread for international football - I searched but couldn’t find one.

I am watching Mexico absolutely running rings around Brazil. Mexico are winning 2-0 with an hour gone, and they are lining up chance after chance after chance.

This must be painful viewing for a lot of Brazil fans. Despite playing on one of the worst surfaces I have ever seen (an artificial American football pitch covered in weird ridges, bumps and holes in the turf), Mexico are pinging the ball about and threading passes through the tiniest holes in the Brazilian defence, whereas Brazil are just trying (and failing) to brute force their way through the Mexican back line.

Now that Mexico have a decent striker in Javier Hernandez (and, to a lesser extent, Aldo De Nigris), they could really be a team to watch.

Brazil are having more of the ball now, but they aren’t doing much with it. The Mexicans are defending with the intensity of a competitive match, which might be the difference between the two teams. The Brazilian can’t get through, and they are opening themselves up to some frenetic counterattacking.

Mexican tv coverage is strange though. They give you added sound effects, and adverts for plumbing supplies and orange scented shower gel keep appearing in the middle of the screen while the match is going on in the background.

1. Damaio goal wrongly called offside.
2. Hulk brought down in the box, no penalty.
3. Oscar brought down by the keeper, no penalty
4. Neymar and a Mexican player (can’t remember the name) had a confrontation, hands to the face, no red.
5. Mexican player just before the 90min are up boots the ball, no card.

The USMNT don’t even get those calls in America.

Oh well, nice to have a thread to discussed international football in general. USA v Canada in a hour and a half.

1. Damaio goal wrongly called offside.
2. Hulk brought down in the box, no penalty.
3. Oscar brought down by the keeper, no penalty
4. Neymar and a Mexican player (can’t remember the name) had a confrontation, hands to the face, no red.
5. Mexican player just before the 90min are up boots the ball, no card.

The USMNT don’t even get those calls in America.

Oh well, nice to have a thread to discussed international football in general. USA v Canada in a hour and a half.

Is it common in the USA to play international matches on pitches that look like they have been absolutely ripped to shreds by the local American football team?

1. Damaio goal wrongly called offside.
2. Hulk brought down in the box, no penalty.
3. Oscar brought down by the keeper, no penalty
4. Neymar and a Mexican player (can’t remember the name) had a confrontation, hands to the face, no red.
5. Mexican player just before the 90min are up boots the ball, no card.

The USMNT don’t even get those calls in America.

Oh well, nice to have a thread to discussed international football in general. USA v Canada in a hour and a half.

Is it common in the USA to play international matches on pitches that look like they have been absolutely ripped to shreds by the local American football team?

No but Jerry Jones will do anything to make a buck. That goes for Mexico and Brazil as well. I don’t think the organizers care, there was over 100k in the stadium, that’s all that matters to them.

The NFL is in off-season, I don’t think anyone has played there in awhile. I think the agreement must have been to lay down a natural pitch, which Cowboys stadium has done in the past, I just think they mucked it up. The last time they did it for a Chelsea match I don’t remember the pitch being that bad.

No but Jerry Jones will do anything to make a buck. That goes for Mexico and Brazil as well. I don’t think the organizers care, there was over 100k in the stadium, that’s all that matters to them.

The NFL is in off-season, I don’t think anyone has played there in awhile. I think the agreement must have been to lay down a natural pitch, which Cowboys stadium has done in the past, I just think they mucked it up. The last time they did it for a Chelsea match I don’t remember the pitch being that bad.

That makes a lot more sense. I was watching the match on a pretty grainy feed, and not knowing they had relaid the pitch I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how an artificial pitch could possibly be so uneven.

Ahead of the USA - Canada game, what has the reaction in the US been to Timmy Chandler’s apparent decision to turn down a call up for the world cup qualifying matches because he is still holding out hope of a call up from Germany?

Even if he does eventually change his mind and commits to the USA, do you think Klinsmann would select him again?

Ahead of the USA - Canada game, what has the reaction in the US been to Timmy Chandler’s apparent decision to turn down a call up for the world cup qualifying matches because he is still holding out hope of a call up from Germany?

Even if he does eventually change his mind and commits to the USA, do you think Klinsmann would select him again?

Whatever, I really can’t be bothered by uncommitted footballers. I think at this stage we should just consider him gone, I personally wouldn’t be alright welcoming him back after he turned his back on the USA twice, he did this for the Gold Cup as well. He’s been playing LB for the USA but he’s a natural right sided player. I think this cycle would have been when he replaced Cherundolo permanently, who showed against Brazil he’s really done on this level.

Don’t forget though we have Lichaj who’s a natural right back. I’m more upset he wasn’t called up then the Chandler snub to be honest. I understand Klinsmann’s logic but I don’t agree with it. He didn’t think he’d played enough matches since coming back from injury, to me he looked fine at the back end of last season. Still, even with Chandler dropping out our fullbacks are set for the next couple tournaments. The biggest concern is finding replacements for Boca and Gooch.

The center back situation is a concern, I don’t really see an immediate solution. Boca while advanced in years isn’t the problem right now. Gooch doesn’t have the legs anymore. Beyond them we have a bank of CB’s who are all question marks, I have high hopes for some them but they need to play at a higher level to be ready for 2014.

I think these players need to get a move to Europe, anywhere were they can develop.

Omar Gonzalez (when he comes back from injury)
Geoff Cameron (he’s been linked to promoted sides in the PL)
George John
Gale Agbossoumonde

Then of course Tim Ream, who I think a season in the Championship will be good for him. Saying that, I was never to high on him, even before he moved to Bolton.

The biggest problem I have with Chandler is when he injured Omar in training, setting back his development a couple years. Compound that by turning you back on the US and he’s not really a popular figure at the moment amongst American footy fans.

1. Damaio goal wrongly called offside.
2. Hulk brought down in the box, no penalty.
3. Oscar brought down by the keeper, no penalty
4. Neymar and a Mexican player (can’t remember the name) had a confrontation, hands to the face, no red.
5. Mexican player just before the 90min are up boots the ball, no card.

The USMNT don’t even get those calls in America.

Oh well, nice to have a thread to discussed international football in general. USA v Canada in a hour and a half.

Is it common in the USA to play international matches on pitches that look like they have been absolutely ripped to shreds by the local American football team?

No but Jerry Jones will do anything to make a buck. That goes for Mexico and Brazil as well. I don’t think the organizers care, there was over 100k in the stadium, that’s all that matters to them.

The NFL is in off-season, I don’t think anyone has played there in awhile. I think the agreement must have been to lay down a natural pitch, which Cowboys stadium has done in the past, I just think they mucked it up. The last time they did it for a Chelsea match I don’t remember the pitch being that bad.

I think it has the longest break of any sport. Which is why the “NFL calender of events” are spread out to keep people’s attention. The season is over in February and doesn’t come back till around September yet there’s a daily NFL show that’s highly rated.

ESPN the other day led with a story about Peyton Manning having a bad practice, lol.

Lost in all the crap that usually comes out of FIFA meetings was the suggestion that Kosovo could start playing friendlies against FIFA nations, which could open the door to membership. UEFA only accepts UN recognized nations which Kosovo isn’t because Russia sit on the Security Council.

Anyways, looking at the roster from one of their recent friendlies, it’s actually a decent squad. Obviously not brilliant compared to other nations in the region but quite a few players that play in big leagues.

Normally not a match that moves the needle for me but Bob Bradley former US manager is the boss of Egypt. Amazing scenes, B-Brad loves his stoppage time winners man. I’m happy with Klinsmann but I miss Bradley squads, you’d often get brilliant results like this.

Obviously they’re going to be excited about going to Brazil, but given Australia beat them 11-0 in the not too distant past, this could be a painful watch.

Also, looking at the records, New Zealand get turned over by these wee island nations more often than I imgined. Now I know the Kiwis are predominantly a rugby and cricket nation, but that’s embarrassing.

Lost in all the crap that usually comes out of FIFA meetings was the suggestion that Kosovo could start playing friendlies against FIFA nations, which could open the door to membership. UEFA only accepts UN recognized nations which Kosovo isn’t because Russia sit on the Security Council.

Anyways, looking at the roster from one of their recent friendlies, it’s actually a decent squad. Obviously not brilliant compared to other nations in the region but quite a few players that play in big leagues.

At the risk of being a massive wanker (like that’s stopped me before) I wrote a piece for the Daisy Cutter on a very similar issue, albeit looking at Zanzibar, among others nations with limited international recognition.

Normally not a match that moves the needle for me but Bob Bradley former US manager is the boss of Egypt. Amazing scenes, B-Brad loves his stoppage time winners man. I’m happy with Klinsmann but I miss Bradley squads, you’d often get brilliant results like this.

The African WC qualifiers follow quite an interesting format. First-off , the lowest ranked 24 nations were pitted against each other in two-leg playoffs, with the twelve aggregate losers exiting the competition early doors (something for UEFA to look at there, I think).

The twelve winners joined the remaining 28 nations in ten four-team groups (which were seeded according to pots derived from FIFA ranking). Each team plays the others home and away, Champions League-style.

THEN, the ten group winners will be drawn - unseeded - against each other in playoffs, with the eventual five winners qualifying for the World Cup.

It’s this last stage that I’m least happy with, as it will be quite possible for two very strong teams to be drawn against each other (and indeed weaker group winners to be drawn against each other). But whatever, we’re quite likely to have one or two World Cup debutantes from Africa in Brazil next year.

I really hope Egypt make it though, it’s a scandal that they’ve been absent from the finals for so long.

Lost in all the crap that usually comes out of FIFA meetings was the suggestion that Kosovo could start playing friendlies against FIFA nations, which could open the door to membership. UEFA only accepts UN recognized nations which Kosovo isn’t because Russia sit on the Security Council.

Anyways, looking at the roster from one of their recent friendlies, it’s actually a decent squad. Obviously not brilliant compared to other nations in the region but quite a few players that play in big leagues.

Yeah but, of those who are listed as being in the squad, only Ilir Berisha, Faton Toski, Anel Raskaj, Alban Meha, Kushtrim Lushtaku, Besnik Rrustemaj and Adrian Nikci haven’t had full caps for another nation.

Lost in all the crap that usually comes out of FIFA meetings was the suggestion that Kosovo could start playing friendlies against FIFA nations, which could open the door to membership. UEFA only accepts UN recognized nations which Kosovo isn’t because Russia sit on the Security Council.

Anyways, looking at the roster from one of their recent friendlies, it’s actually a decent squad. Obviously not brilliant compared to other nations in the region but quite a few players that play in big leagues.

Yeah but, of those who are listed as being in the squad, only Ilir Berisha, Faton Toski, Anel Raskaj, Alban Meha, Kushtrim Lushtaku, Besnik Rrustemaj and Adrian Nikci haven’t had full caps for another nation.

Yeah I noticed a few players have already been capped. I just think it shows they have potential to produce some decent football talent like Serbia or Croatia.

Fabio Capello has been offered a 6 (SIX!) year contract to be manager of Russia, which means if he lasts the distance he will be managing them at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Apparently he is definitely going to take the job, he just needs to go to Mocsow to sign the contract.

Fabio Capello has been offered a 6 (SIX!) year contract to be manager of Russia, which means if he lasts the distance he will be managing them at the Russia 2018 World Cup. Apparently he is definitely going to take the job, he just needs to go to Mocsow to sign the contract.

Yeah, he hasn’t really broke out for the Nats yet. We were missing so many players for that match he didn’t really get any service. Off the top of my head he had like 3 or 4 good touches in the attacking 3rd and on one he set up the goal. He’s a very raw player but Klinsmann likes him and is patient. <oving to Austria was the right thing for him. He needs games and he’ll get them at Rapid Vienna. Hopefully he’ll do well and move back on to Germany or another higher rated league where the club buying him is looking at him as a 1st or 2nd striker not a prospect.

As for Mexico It was a good win but like I said before it was a mugging, though we were well organized, disciplined and worked hard. Geoff Cameron was amazing at CB. He’s on his way to Stoke and there’s talk of him playing DM. He can play DM but to me he’s a natural CB. If that match doesn’t show Pulis that’s his best position nothing will. We still don’t really have a complete team and this is a weird time for friendlies. Klinsmann couldn’t call players like Dempsey, Lichaj, Altidore with the season due to start and Bradley is carrying an injury.

Klinsmann has done his best with what he’s had for a couple years now we haven’t seen a full strength USMNT, even before he was hired. We’ve had one injury to a key player it seems almost every squad or some other issue keeping them from playing. Like I think since the Gold Cup Dempsey and Donavon have only played together a couple times. Our best CM Holden has been out for awhile and we don’t really have anyone to replace him, so it seems like we’ve been tinkering for ages. Klinsmann played 5 players yesterday who could be considered defensive midfielders, Edu, Jones, Beckerman, Williams and Cameron who’s a CB/DM. Once I’d like to see Dempsey, Donovan, Holden, Jones and Bradley on the pitch at he same time.

Yeah, he hasn’t really broke out for the Nats yet. We were missing so many players for that match he didn’t really get any service. Off the top of my head he had like 3 or 4 good touches in the attacking 3rd and on one he set up the goal. He’s a very raw player but Klinsmann likes him and is patient. <oving to Austria was the right thing for him. He needs games and he’ll get them at Rapid Vienna. Hopefully he’ll do well and move back on to Germany or another higher rated league where the club buying him is looking at him as a 1st or 2nd striker not a prospect.

As for Mexico It was a good win but like I said before it was a mugging, though we were well organized, disciplined and worked hard. Geoff Cameron was amazing at CB. He’s on his way to Stoke and there’s talk of him playing DM. He can play DM but to me he’s a natural CB. If that match doesn’t show Pulis that’s his best position nothing will. We still don’t really have a complete team and this is a weird time for friendlies. Klinsmann couldn’t call players like Dempsey, Lichaj, Altidore with the season due to start and Bradley is carrying an injury.

Klinsmann has done his best with what he’s had for a couple years now we haven’t seen a full strength USMNT, even before he was hired. We’ve had one injury to a key player it seems almost every squad or some other issue keeping them from playing. Like I think since the Gold Cup Dempsey and Donavon have only played together a couple times. Our best CM Holden has been out for awhile and we don’t really have anyone to replace him, so it seems like we’ve been tinkering for ages. Klinsmann played 5 players yesterday who could be considered defensive midfielders, Edu, Jones, Beckerman, Williams and Cameron who’s a CB/DM. Once I’d like to see Dempsey, Donovan, Holden, Jones and Bradley on the pitch at he same time.

Thanks for the update.

Boyd had a great last season in the 4th division at Dortmund and did the right thing with his move to Austria.There he can play in a league which is better than the 4th divison, he definately has the potential for the 2nd Bundesliga. Just checked his stats for Rapid Vienna, so far 3 goals in 6 games (all competitions) isn’t bad.

Didnt watch Germanys loss against Argentina yesterday, but it looks like that the main talking point is the critiscm of Oliver Kahn (who works as a TV pundit) about the poor defensive display in recent months. Jogi Löw was very angry and looked as he want to slap Kahn in the face.

I saw the USA Mexico match last night, and have to agree that it was a bit of a smash-and-grab; that said, Mexico never made any very clear cut chances to score, and Howard was superb. Also, on this form Cameron looks like a good addition for Stoke, Brek Shea looks decent from what I’ve seen of him for the NT, and my word would it have been funny if Beckerman’s tackle-come-lob had gone in from about 40 yards out.

In England matters, quite impressed with Johnson and Cleverley and the fact that they actually looked quite dynamic whilst wearing an England shirt.

Roma’s defense hasn’t been that great this season. Burdisso hasn’t been good, the midfield is contributing, a couple goalkeeping errors and Piris hasn’t settled yet. Besides Burdisso we’ll likely get better, Burdisso is probably done on that level, we need a replacement in Jan.

Anyways I say all that but Leandro Castan arguably has been our best signing, he hasn’t been the problem. He got his first cap for Brazil against Japan. He’s come a long way from Atletico Mineiro, to a short unsuccessful stint at Helsingborgs, back to the Brazilian 2nd division, got his move to Corinthians and was dominant in the Copa Libertadores, now he’s at Roma and has been a standout and getting called to the national team. Incredible…..

The French federation certainly know how to make an example of someone. One lousy night out clubbing in between two U-21 games and you find yourself facing a 20 month ban. The other 4 players involved have been given 14 month bans (I wonder whether France might lose Wissam Ben Yedder to Tunisia and M’Baye Niang to Senegal as a result of this).

The French federation certainly know how to make an example of someone. One lousy night out clubbing in between two U-21 games and you find yourself facing a 20 month ban. The other 4 players involved have been given 14 month bans (I wonder whether France might lose Wissam Ben Yedder to Tunisia and M’Baye Niang to Senegal as a result of this).

Judas Priest… no wonder Arsene Wenger had second thoughts over M’Vila.

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